DHL Supply Chain to close

GREENFIELD — Third-party logistics provider DHL Supply Chain plans to shut down its Greenfield operations and lay off 511 employees, it told the state Thursday.

But company officials told the Indianapolis Business Journal they’re hopeful employees will be able to transition into new jobs at the same facility. It was unclear whether the same number and types of jobs would be available.

DHL, which has a North American headquarters in Westerfield, Ohio, currently runs operations at the warehouse, 6719 W. County Road 350N, north of Interstate 70 in Mt. Comfort.

Thursday, DHL notified Indiana’s Department of Workforce Development it will terminate the employment of all 511 workers, and Walmart will take over operation of the facility.

DHL operations are expected to cease by May 4.

The notice gave few other details about the fate of the warehouse and the employees who work there.

DHL operates in more than 220 countries and territories across the globe and has a workforce that exceeds 350,000, its website states. The company provides solutions for logistic needs, including transportation and warehousing.

DHL is part of the world’s leading postal and logistics company Deutsche Post DHL Group and encompasses several business units, including DHL Supply Chain.

Greenfield’s DHL employees will have the chance to apply for similar jobs with Walmart, Lynn Anderson, vice president of communications for DHL Supply Chain told the IBJ.

A Walmart spokesman confirmed to the IBJ on Friday afternoon that “Walmart is currently working through a hiring and selection process with the employees who worked at the facility.”

“We hope those who work in this facility would like to become part of the Walmart family,” said spokesman Ryan Curell.

Some DHL employees might also have a chance to transfer into jobs at other DHL locations, Anderson said. DHL’s operations in Indiana include sites in Plainfield and Fort Wayne.

DHL Supply Chain issued a similar notice to Ohio officials Jan. 9 stating the company would close its plant in Lima, Ohio, and terminate the employment of 229 workers by March 12. Last July, the company gave notice it would lay off 85 employees at a facility in Englewood, Ohio. Those layoffs were expected to happen last September.

Calls by the Daily Reporter to DHL Supply Chain’s media and human resources departments were not returned by close of business Friday.